The Russian Designer Who Could Take My Job. Again.

I just found out that in Russia, an AI system has been masquerading as a designer for over a year. And, it’s really, REALLY good at its job.

Here’s the link: https://singularityhub.com/2020/07/24/this-russian-firms-star-designer-is-an-ai-but-no-one-knew-that-for-a-year/

This is a weird thing for me. I’ve always prided myself on my ‘artistic’ sense and creativity – and suddenly, here’s a machine that can do what I do – but better.

WAY BETTER.

Of course, with this information, I will need to re-evaluate a few things in my life. Sure, many things can go for a toss as well. But, because I’m aware, I can look at how to leverage this new information to my benefit.

But, can you imagine what would have happened if I didn’t even know such a thing existed? Or, if I didn’t take this new information into account?

Simple. I’d be making Biggest Career Mistakes To Avoid #4: Avoiding or Ignoring Technology.

Read on.

Situation

You’re really good at what you do

• You’ve spent a lot of time and effort in getting good at doing what you do
  • A lot of emotional investment has gone into your long journey of mastery
• You really know the ins and outs of how to do your job
  • Even new fangled technology can’t hold you back
  • You and your method are better than new people with new methods

Suddenly, there’s a massive change in the market – and the rug is pulled out from under you

• It could be…
  • A machine
  • Some software
  • A new approach
  • A discovery
  • A change in the market
  • New technology
• And now…
  • You don’t know it
  • But, companies want it
  • You didn’t see it coming
    • You’re in trouble
      • You could be obsolete
    • You’ll need to scramble

Cause

Several factors at play

• Believing that the company is your friend
  • Your value comes from the results you deliver
    • If someone delivers better results, they’re more valuable
• Believing that nothing bad will happen to you
  • That’s just foolish
• Believing that you’re better than whatever comes along
  • You’re not
  • Being better is not important
    • Nobody cares about your art/words/code/tools
    • They care about what they get as a result (the value!)
  • Being able to deliver value is
• Most important: Not keeping an eye on the competition
  • Competition is not within the company alone
    • Other companies
    • Other domains
    • Other industries
    • Other technologies
      • This is usually the one that sneaks up on people
      • Ignoring technology has destroyed many careers
    • Other countries

Unwillingness to change

• It’s one thing to notice that there is technology & competition
• It’s another to use it to your advantage
  • Avoiding it is worse than ignoring technology
  • Usually, a deeper reason
    • Fear
    • Confusion
    • Overwhelm
    • Complexity
    • Pride
    • Politics

Answer

Actively integrate new technology into your ecosystem

• Experiment with it in your side hustle
• Keep track of upcoming technologies and ideas
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Futurism
  • Singularity Hub
  • Gartner’s Hype Cycle
  • Industry conferences & mailing lists
• Look at ways to integrate it into your workflow
  • Champion it in your workplace, if you can
  • Join projects, attend meetings & contribute

Result

You’re not the car, you’re the highway

• You can lead the change instead of getting affected
  • You can shape the future to your needs
• You can be the one who benefits the most by technology
  • You won’t get swept away
  • You can position yourself as a champion of tech

Your Turn

Subscribe to future focused content on your favourite channels

• Reddit
• YouTube
• Email Lists
• Blogs

Each month, explore one topic that would be relevant for your future

• Some examples
  • Analytics & Machine Learning
  • Telepresence
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Augmented Intelligence
  • CRISPR technologies
  • 3D Printing
• Reflect upon how it will affect your career

Brought to you by Epic Career Labs

Run by Arvindh Sundar

• Goal: Increase Job Security With E.P.I.C Transformations
• Mission: Liberate a million millennials from an unsatisfying career
• Get in touch at arvindh@epiccareerlabs.com

There’s a course that can help fix most of these

• https://www.epiccareerlabs.com/course

Did you know?

• You can take a free assessment to figure out what’s your career risk level?
  • https://www.CareerRiskLevel.com

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